Nine detained, 745kg cocaine seized in joint Iberian police operation

Nine people of various nationalities have been detained and 745 kilos of cocaine seized that was hidden inside pineapples, in a joint investigation by the authorities in Portugal and Spain, police announced on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária (PJ), the cocaine was seized as part of Operation Japy, which led to the dismantling of an international ring that “was dedicated to repeatedly bringing in to the European continent large quantities of cocaine produced in South America.”The drug was hidden inside pineapples that were transported from South America to the Iberian Peninsula, the statement said.It said that the investigation into the group began in Spain in April last year.As well as the cocaine, the authorities seized some €400,000 in cash and 10 motor vehicles.A clandestine laboratory where cocaine was adulterated and ‘cut’ was also dismantled, police said.In Portugal, the operation was also aided by the Tax and Customs Authority.The investigation continues in Portugal and Spain with the cooperation of the authorities in other countries.

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